Local President's Page

July 2015 Update

We have received cancellation notices for all of the Mail Handler withholdings as well as the consolidation events throughout the State of Minnesota. This of course doesn’t mean that they can’t be re-issued at some time in the future; but for now, this gives us some time to focus on MHA conversions and contract proposals.

While we have seen some gushes of MHA conversions since the inception of that position, conversions as of late have slowed to a trickle. Yet, conversions in the metro facilities continue and these facilities remain well positioned for additional conversions into the future. Conversions in the outstate Minnesota facilities have been few and far between as most people have not been willing to subject themselves to the sustained and excessive work hours. Simply put, most outstate MHAs walk away when they’ve had enough. The North Dakota facilities continue to hover close to the MHA percentage and this will produce more conversions down the road.

As we all know, the MHA position was created by the arbitration board which decided the terms of the 2011 National Agreement. We never had an opportunity to bargain over the terms and conditions of employment for this bargaining unit category. That will change when negotiations are commenced over the provision of the 2016 National Agreement. Keep an eye on the bulletin boards at your facility. We want your input on this and other important matters.